Golden Aster Chrysopsis mariana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Heterotheca mariana
- Phonetic Spelling
- krih-SOP-sis mar-ee-AY-nah
- Description
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Maryland Golden-Aster is native short lived perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is found in dry forests, woodlands, roadsides, and open fields in the eastern USA and west to Texas.
The yellow daisy-like blooms appear in late summer to fall on 1 foot stems above a basal rosette of leaves. It grows best in sandy, medium moist, well-drained sandy soils but can be adaptable. It can spread a little fast if the soil is kept moist. In general, this plant grows at a medium to rapid growth rate. This plant is drought tolerant once established. They will reseed themselves in the garden or naturalized areas.
It flowers in the late summer well into the fall providing long-season interest and provides delicate texture with its daisy-like appearance. It attracts butterflies, bees and pollinators which keeps nature right outside your back door. This plant is great for use in a border, rock garden or meadow.
This plant was selected as the 2018 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Occasionally suffers from mildew, otherwise no serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chrysopsis
- Species:
- mariana
- Family:
- Asteracae
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A., such as NC and Maryland
- Distribution:
- AL , DC , DE , FL , GA , KY , LA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV (Southeastern US, from NY to OH and down to TX)
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Chrysopis support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) fulvipennis, and Perdita (Hexaperdita) boltoniae. This plant attracts butterflies, bees, and pollinators. It is also moderately deer resistant.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- moderately deer resistant, drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Red-brown achenes. Displays from July to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of bright yellow, one-inch diameter flower heads with 13-21 rays appear late summer to fall. The petals and center of the flower are both yellow. Each flower has lanceolate, sticky flower bracts. Petals are narrow at each end and sticky bracts are below the petals. Blooms from June to October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The plant forms a rosette of basal, wholly leaves which are 2"-6" long and 1 3/8" to 1.5" wide with entire or dentate margins. The lower leaves are larger and stem leaves are smaller. The leaves are wooly when young and become smoother with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Upright silky wooly stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Short-lived
